Melanoma is preventable and can be caught early if you watch for the signs.
Melanomas usually have one or more of these ABCDE’s:
A: ASYMMETRY
One half of the mole is unlike the other half.
B: BORDER
The border of the mole is irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined.
C: COLOR
The mole is varied from area to another. There may be shades of tan and brown and black and sometimes even white, red or blue.
D: DIAMETER
The diameter of the mole is larger than 6 mm (as a rule), which is the same diameter of a pencil eraser.
E: EVOLVING
Ordinary moles do not change over time. A mole that changes in size, shape, color, or texture is a warning sign as is a mole that tingles, itches, burns, bleeds, oozes, or feels strange. Another warning sign for melanoma is a sore that does not heal. ANY changes to ANY moles in ANY way should be evaluated by a doctor immediately!
